There are several things to do in Melbourne for tourists who visit
this spectacular city. Melbourne is one of Australia's
most vibrant and buzzing cities and has many attractions in store for you! You can
definitely start off your Melbourne odyssey with a taste of The Eureka Skydeck
which is one of the most hair raising and beautiful experiences you will ever have!
This Skydeck is located at the Riverside Quay on Melbourne's
Southbank and offers stunning views of the city and even beyond! This will
allow you to take some awesome pictures and you can even experience a special attraction
called The Edge which will take you right over the edge of the skywalk
in a glass box and you will be able to get some unmatched views of the city. Tickets
are available for this once in a lifetime experience at very reasonable prices and
you can also opt for two entries in one day with a view towards experiencing
Melbourne's beauty both at day and night. Sunset is sometimes considered
to be the ideal viewing time. The Shrine of Remembrance is another
hotspot for tourists and is located at Kings Domain Parkland on
St Kilda Road. This majestic edifice is designed as a tribute and
memorial to veterans and heroes from waters across the world and you will simply
love the city views from the top of this monument. This is one of the biggest architectural
landmarks in Melbourne and offers you lovely views of the Government House,
Botanical Gardens and more! The Shrine of Remembrance can
be visited by availing the City Circle tram service. These views
also come absolutely free of charge. You will enjoy the beauty of the place along
with the fastidiously maintained gardens. Every evening, the flags are taken down
ceremonially and this is also worth a watch!

You can indulge the thrill seeker in you with a hot air balloon ride over
the Yarra Valley and even over the Central Business District
in Melbourne. You will love the views in addition to the sunrise
and blue skies. You will be able to view the landmarks of the city including
the Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Albert Park Racetrack and
the Flemington Raceway among others. Early morning flights are usually
offered. You can also opt for flights over the Yarra Valley which
presents a pretty picture courtesy its vineyards and lovely natural greenery. You
can also take a helicopter flight over Melbourne if you have limited time to explore
the city. You should also visit the St Paul's Cathedral or
Flinders St Station which lie almost adjacent to each other. The Cathedral
is a beautiful and imposing building that bears Gothic flourishes while the neighbouring
Station is also a work of art in its own right and is one of the most iconic landmarks
in the city. The Cathedral will impress you with its colours, stained
glass and lovely wall carvings while the station will hook you with its coffee shops
and other retail outlets.

You can also visit the Dandenong Ranges which are located approximately
an hour away from Melbourne city. This trip is a worthy choice for
nature lovers on account of the majestic ranges and eye catching mountain ash trees.
There are several quaint and charming villages in addition to eateries and cafes.
You can also pick up beautiful hand crafted items from several stores and ride on
the narrow gauge railway through the picturesque mountains or take a coach to visit
the area. Winter is the best time to explore the ranges as the trees and other vegetation
sparkles during this time. You can also take wildlife coach tours that take you
through these ranges and the Yarra Valley in addition to
the Healesville Sanctuary. If you're in the mood to pick up souvenirs and
knick knacks and want a hot and piping meal to go with it, you're better off visiting
the Queen Victoria Market. This is a fantastic outdoor hub which
gives you several souvenirs from across the globe along with some delectable options
for lunch and breakfast. The dine-in cafe experience is worth savouring here. You
will also enjoy picking up local produce and fresh fruits at this market.

The Great Ocean Road offers a scenic and attractive drive down the
Torquay coastline. This drive is one of the best and most picturesque experiences
in the world. The Great Ocean Road stretches for about 243 kilometres
and you will enjoy the lovely views here. Hiring a chauffeured car and exploring
the entire route is the best bet in this case. You can also take group tours or
coach tours. You should also check out the famous formation of the Twelve
Apostles along the way. Phillip Island is another fabulous
getaway within only a couple of hours from Melbourne city. You will love the cute
penguins that inhabit the island and make their way to the shore to the
little Penguin Colony at night. This entire journey is affectionately called
the Penguin Parade. You will also enjoy the Koala Conservation
centre here along with Churchill Island and the Nobbies
headland which offers wooden boardwalks for unique exploration.

You can check out the Melbourne Aquarium at King Street
riverside. The Melbourne Zoo is located near the central
business district while the Healesville Sanctuary and
Werribee Open Range Zoo are also easily accessible from the city.
Wildlife lovers will savour the experiences offered by Melbourne's aquariums and
zoos. The Aquarium is home to the 2.2 million lite Oceanarium and offers shark dive
extreme experiences along with a chance to discover Antarctic penguins.
The zoo is home to lions, gorillas, elephants and orang-utans. If you want to do
something truly unplanned and offbeat, you can just let go and get lost in the charming
lanes and alleys of the city with all the hidden indie theatres, shops, art galleries,
shopping centres and coffee shops. You can take walking tours of Melbourne that
are offered by several operators.